Hand Washing Techniques Applications - Essay Example

Research Methods Hand washing is one of the most important habits which can effectively prevent infection and disease. When encountered with different challenges however, this habit may not be ensured. This paper shall discuss literature on hand washing, and discuss possible research which can be carried out to evaluate its application. Task A: Based on the study conducted by Inamulhaq (2012) there are often different barriers which can interfere with the implementation of proper hand washing techniques. These barriers often include lack of time, heavy influx of patients, as well as the lack of an environment conducive for hand washing. Inamulhaq (2012) discussed that there are different techniques which can be adopted by nurses and other health practitioners in order to ensure and improve hand washing techniques. One of these methods is health education, and this would necessitate the actual training of the staff in relation to proper hand washing techniques in the clinical setting (Inamulhaq, 2012). The availability of antibacterial soaps was also highlighted as an important means of ensuring the application of hand washing techniques. Moreover, facilities where hand washing can be carried out can also be made available in as many places as possible for the hospital staff (Inamulhaq, 2012). In the paper by Erasmus and colleagues (2010), the importance of action planning, was established as one of the effective ways hand washing among nurses can be improved. Action planning involves active participation in the hand washing process, for example, nurses may list when they are supposed to wash their hands. Covering 17 participants in a pilot study on hand hygiene behaviour, the authors established that where an action plan for the nurses is established before or during the shift, the possibility of ensuring that hand washing is carried out becomes greater (Erasmus, et.al., 2010). The action plan then soon becomes part of the nurse’s routine and the possibility of compliance is significantly improved (Erasmus, et.al., 2010). In the study by Nicol, et.al., (2009) the authors emphasized the theory of planned behaviour. The study revealed that the theory of planned behaviour could sufficiently help improve the education and training of nurses in hand hygiene behaviour (Nicol, et.al., 2009). This study was also able to demonstrate that deep-seated habits which are incorporated well into a person’s activities have a significant potential of improving a certain activity or behaviour (Nicol, et.al., 2009). The theory of planned behaviour also points out that where individuals unconsciously apply certain activities, they also learn to carry out hand washing activities where necessary (Nicol, et.al., 2009). Task B: If you were to undertake a research project within a clinical area similar to that found in Task A, what research methodology would you choose? Research Question: What are the barriers to hand washing which nurses working in the emergency unit are encountering within their eight hour shifts? I would utilize a quantitative research approach to answer the above question. I chose this research approach because it can provide results which can be generalized to a larger population (Taylor, 2005). Its results, in other words can therefore be interpreted in relation to other health professionals in other clinical settings (Taylor, 2005). I would first choose the clinical setting for this study which would likely be at a trauma hospital located in the city. I would choose the emergency care unit nurses as respondents to this study. I would then determine the total population of nurses practising in the ER and then compute a desirable population based on a 70% response rate and a 95% confidence level. I would then send a letter to the hospital administrator explaining the study to be conducted and requesting permission for the nurses in the ER to be considered as respondents to the study. A favourable response from the hospital administrator would then lead to another letter to be given to all the nurses of the ER, explaining to them the study to be conducted, their possible participation required, and the assurance of their confidentiality in the research process. Participation in this research would also help nurses and patients evaluate and assess their hand washing habits, with the ultimate goal of ensuring its application. Those willing to participate shall then sign an informed consent document indicating that they do understand what is being asked of them and that they are willing to participate in the study. A random sample of the population shall then be drawn based on the list of the nursing participants. I would then give the respondents a structured questionnaire which would detail the different barriers which they may encounter in their application of hand washing procedures. After the questionnaires are collected, the results would be tabulated and the appropriate statistical computation shall be used to establish cumulative results. The Ethics Committee’s approval for the study will be sought after the research proposal would be submitted. Task C 1. Reflect on the value of the exercise seen in the video as a research study that could stimulate a positive change in nursing practice. The exercise seen in the video can actually be shown to adults as well, even clinical nurses in order to demonstrate how they may also be distracted and challenged by various barriers in their application of proper hand washing techniques. The video may feature children, however, adults can also easily disregard or forget to wash their hands, especially when they are distracted or when they are very busy. In order to stimulate positive change in the nursing practice, I can also demonstrate to the nurses how distractions in the clinical setting can prevent them from carrying out the vital function of hand washing. I can actually test the nurses also, try to place them in scenarios when they would likely be distracted, busy, and overwhelmed by their responsibilities. Under these conditions, I could then note how potential sources of bacteria can be transferred due to the lack of the nurses’ vigilance in hand washing. I also believe that the techniques applied by the researcher in the video can be applied to the clinical setting as a means of ensuring hand washing. Personal motivation, changing the environment, deliberate practice, and peer pressure can also serve as means by which effective changes in the clinical setting can be ensured. 2. Offer some insight on how this assignment task has altered your perception on the value that innovative research can have in assisting nursing practice. This assignment altered my perception on the value of innovative research and its impact in assisting nursing practice. Innovative research can provide a fresh perspective on the nursing practice. The usual practices and research can sometimes lose their impact on nurses and be ignored as irrelevant. However, innovative research can be a wake-up call, providing a jolt to the usual habits of individuals, especially those involved in health care. This research will also help promote positive change to the nursing practice, ensuring that hand washing becomes instinctive and would need no further prompting or reminders. References Erasmus, V, Kuperus, M, Richardsus, J, & Vos, M 2010, ‘Improving hand hygiene behaviour of nurses using action planning: a pilot study in the intensive care unit and surgical ward,’ Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. 76, pp. 161-164. Inamulhaq, M 2012, ‘Role of hand washing in prevention of communicable diseases and practices adopted in private clinics,’ Canadian Journal of Applied Sciences, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 196-201. Nicol, P, Watkins, R, Donovan, R, & Wynaden, D 2009, ‘The power of vivid experience in hand hygiene compliance,’ Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. 72, pp. 36-42. Taylor, G 2005, Integrating quantitative and qualitative methods in research, University Press of America, California. Read More